Cleaning the Yoke Trim Switch?

[carqwik]

First flight yesterday...after takeoff and gear/flap retraction, the electric trim failed to move...uh oh...my plane isn't happy with me for not flying her for two weeks.  Reset the trim breaker...and nothing.  Ok, it's now hand trimming all the way to destination...no biggie but like all long bodies, they do require judicious use of trim especially for landing.

 

After a bit of "prayer" on the ground....the electric trim worked just fine on the return trip.  Go figure.

 

I think it's just dirt in the trim switch on the yoke.  What's the best way to clean it out?  Should I unscrew it from the yoke and just spray contact cleaner on it? 

[rbridges]

that was going to be my first suggestion.  shouldn't hurt anything and may remove any oxidation causing the issue.  keep fingers crossed and hope that gets it.

[LANCECASPER]

I just had something similar happen to an Ovation2. I tried cleaning the contacts but the best I could get was intermittent trim in one direction. There are three little switches within that one trim switch assembly. The bad news . . . Bendix King wants $1300 now for that switch assembly.

 

The good news . . . Doug at Central Texas Avionics in Georgetown TX replaced the three microswitches and adjusted the metal springs. It was four hours labor and $75 for the 3 switches but a lot less than $1300 plus installation.

[gjkirsch]

I have had to have the switches cleaned but also have had hard grease on the jackscrew cause a similiar problem.  When I "freed" up the trim by moving it by hand, the electric switch started working again. It is worth cleaning the jackscrew.